Hyderabad to witness rare Blue Micromoon on May 31

Hyderabad residents are expected to witness a rare Blue Micromoon on May 31 as two full moons appear in May 2026. The event combines a Blue Moon and a Micromoon, making the Moon appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual

By Harikrishnan R

Hyderabad: Stargazers in Hyderabad are set to witness a rare celestial event on May 31 as a Blue Micromoon will appear together in the night sky.

---

The rare phenomenon occurs because May 2026 has two full moons, one on May 1 and another on May 31. The second full moon in a calendar month is referred to as a Blue Moon.

However, despite its name, the Moon will not appear blue in colour.

The event will become even rarer as the Blue Moon will coincide with a Micromoon, which occurs when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit.

As a result, the Moon is expected to appear around 6 to 7 per cent smaller and slightly dimmer than a regular full moon. Astronomers say the difference may not be easily noticeable to the naked eye.

According to moonrise timings, the best viewing window in Hyderabad is expected to be between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm on May 31, provided weather conditions remain favourable.

Despite being a Micromoon, the Moon may still appear larger near the horizon due to an optical effect known as the Moon Illusion.

The celestial event can be viewed without telescopes or special equipment, making it accessible to skywatchers across the city.

Blue Moons are relatively uncommon and occur once every two or three years.